scavenging for shells, watching clams bury themselves into the sand, holding a starfish and saving it by giving it water (yes, really!), climbing rocks, random glass from the 1900′s washing ashore, laughing, playing with shadows, taking a bow after making sand angels, and biting into a perfectly ripe peach.

heavenly.

Something happened after June’s chaos. I don’t know how to explain it, but suddenly the entire world felt lighter. Work seemed a bit easier, even though I was working harder. My paintings have been dreamier and rich (I will share soon), despite challenging myself with compositions. And my heart has been bubbly, effervescent, and has me smiling a lot. So much that my cheeks hurt and I worry that people on the train may think I have a disorder.

Weekends of fun, new friends, and so much more have me filled to the brim. I am overflowing with love. It’s as if all of these dreams under my pillow have found their way into reality.

Here are some magical things from the weekend…

• another day at the beach with francesca
• exploring prospect heights
• making boats out of leaves
• daydreaming in prospect park

**

I feel this glorious feeling of excitement and like this cute pup, I’m ready to leap into new territories. 

I used to dread Monday’s something fierce.

When I was a kid, I hated Sunday nights. It was an awful reminder that Monday was around the corner. Monday meant school and homework and whatever else scared me at that age…the thing is, they don’t tell you that they are equally dreadful when you are an adult.

If only we had three day weekends:

day 1: recuperate from the week
day 2: play!
day 3: relax and prepare for the next week

sounds heavenly, doesn’t it?

Since three day weekends are not in my short term future, I decided to find something to love about Mondays. Actually, it didn’t happen like that — it just so happened that I signed up for a painting class that is on Mondays.

And it just so happens that the class has been everything I need.
And what a perfect start to the week.

It’s allowing me to work on some pieces that have been hanging on my wall for over a year…
(this is ALMOST done…)

Play (literally – sometimes i throw it) with paint…

and try something completely new –

yes.

I was terrified of this class, but it has been so inspiring, I’m creating, and it feels so good!

Thank you Julian for pushing me to do it.

<3!

So far, so good…

Lots of sparkles…starting with my nails…

Visits from faraway friends…

Hugs from new friends…

trekking in the snow…

Hope you all had a fantastic New Years and that this is year is s’marvelous, s’wonderful, bright, and colorful!

…paper snowflakes!

Our last Art Explorer’s class is on Saturday and I wanted to do something “wintry”. I decided we should make some snowflakes. One of my favorite part of doing AE is finding new projects, trying them out, and modifying them for my own. There are so many wonderful art blogs out there and just not enough time to make art!

In a perfect world, I’d be making things all of the time all while teaching kids about the environment through art and music. I am getting some nifty ideas for things to do with all of our paper scraps for next semester’s Earth Day.

Here is my newest love and some photos of the snowflakes we’ll make on Saturday:

Lots of cutting and glueing…

I reused a bunch of my choir envelopes with old addresses…

Jumbo snowflake on bright blue paper!

So pretty!

Hopefully the kids like the project!

Either way, I’m looking forward to my long weekend, – I took the day off – so I’ll be making lots of art and singing in our concert tomorrow night, and surrounding myself wonderful people.

Enjoy the weekend! I hope it’s filled with lots of sparkly love…and laughing..lots of it!

Dear friend,

I can’t believe you got married a week ago! Seriously. And now with your hyphenated-apostrophe-happy name I’ll never be able to forget it. I remember when we were childhood friends; chasing cats, dreams, and each other! How much fun did we have? Making up all of those stories? Haunted passage ways in old barns? Kitty birthday parties (“Breathing Problem” was your favorite cat and she loved you!) and weddings! And here we are, a little over a decade later and now YOUR married!!?!??!!

That’s freaking awesome. And wonderful. And s’marvelous!!!!!!

**insert super sappy hug here**

And I love your man. He’s super sweet. Like sweet tea…with lots of sugar.

As your witness (I am so honored that I got to sign that paper) and someone that’s grown up with you, I am so happy that you have someone so wonderful to grow old with. I am so happy for you two!

I love you friend! And thanks for making sure I made it back to NYC alright.

Here are a few photos from your special day (and the night before, how can we forget the free popcorn I scored) The highlight? Playing Sorry at the coffee house and drinking cheap champagne to celebrate.

Much love to both of you and your damn hyphen-apostrophe-happy name. You know all of the good stuff that I wish for you – love, snuggles, and all that jazz

xo
**

I love you friend!!

What a wonderful day! And Melanie — THANK YOU beautiful for taking photos! I can’t wait to see what your camera brings! Calee — it was great seeing you, thanks for stopping by (AJ and Roy, thanks for letting her!).

And lastly. Freddy and Abby are such a delight.

(he almost looks angelic here, like he won’t mess with your Christmas tree!)

May your love bring you lots and lots of kitty squishes!

xo

p.s. Dear Iowa. Please stay progressive!

…and that’s all it took for me to start laughing again…

**
Dear friends:

Mary - thank you – for this moment, the other moments, and all the upcoming ones that remind me that laughter is the best medicine. I’m sorry I got “curl-happy” with your hair. It did look beautiful in the end.

Bethy - thank you for making me laugh uncontrollably with your sense of humor and ponder-isms..

…and for making us stand in front of this “totally nude” sign…
(p.s. who is this guy??)

Jenna - thank you for dancing like no one is watching and reminding me that we should all be this way.

…your confidence and faith are unwavering and truly inspiring.

Brittanie - thank YOU for reminding me that I should never apologize for my “gooey-ness”. I love knowing that someone else loves love as much as I do.

your faith in love and family reminds me that “home” is whatever I want it to be.

and Katie ~ thank you for your writing and thoughtful mind. We missed you dearly, but you were there with us in spirit.

**
This summer one of my very best friends in the entire world got married. Their wedding was truly a fairy tale – which is perfect considering we used to take car rides belting out Disney princess gooey love tunes.

Yes, this wedding was as perfect as it looks.

All photos taken by Freeland photography

Love.
it’s my favorite thing in the world.

Love.
it’s really all we need.

Love.
is so beautiful.

A couple of years ago I did an photo project showing that love is all around.
I believed it then.
And I really believe it now -

Love really is all around.

I’m so thankful for the people in my life.
You are all so wonderful to me.

I’m enjoy reading blogs on love.
they remind me I’m not the only one that feels this way.

love.
love.
love.

**

dear lovelies – may your weekend be filled with love.

starting with lovely smiles..

and your lovely coffee (or tea)…

notice how the world around you is filled with love…
and magically spells it out..

notice the people around you – all filled with stories – and love of their own.
these kind strangers spelled it out for me when i asked!

enjoy some wine with your love.
red wine is good for the heart! (so i’m told)

love is cuddly, snuggly, warm, and so-so-wonderful.
just like my cat.

you are loved.

xo

This post was inspired by one of my favorite bloggers – Katie Soloker! She did a post about “things that make her smile” and asked others to do the same. I’ve also had a long  week (I think many did!) and think that sharing reasons to smile or be happy is a fantastic idea. So here are mine…

1. Silly Halloween costumes and apartment “Mascots” (btw, Goosie is kicking it in Dysart!)

2. The open roads of Iowa – and realizing I miss them -

3. Midnight trains to Montauk to watch the sunrise…

…and using this shell to protect my eyes…

4. Pretending to be birds…

…and imagining dancing on these clouds.

5. Pretty waterfalls…

…and climbing them to find rainbows.

6. Survivaballs

7. Kids and their puppies – and willingness to share them

8. All the colors of this life….

…and being able to capture them in photos, art, and our imaginations.
There are so many talented artists and photographers and I love seeing people’s lives through their eyes.

So what makes you smile or happy?

It’s Friday and sunny, so let’s spread the happiness today!
I hope you have a fantastic weekend filled with all the things you love.
…and that you can get some rest.